Katie Tiffany believes that God placed a calling on her heart on New Years Day, January of 2010. She wanted to learn more about Haiti and began Googling the topic. Her research brought her across the paths of Child Hope International, Maison de Lumiere, and the Manassero's. Prior to this time, Tiffany knew nothing about Haiti.  Soon, she felt called to go King's Harbor Church-the same church that Bill and Sue Manassero attended in the U.S.  She went on January 10, 2010.  She learned that the church had scheduled mission trips to Haiti.  Two days later the earthquake hit.     

After the earthquake, Katie noticed an urgent need for administrative support within Child Hope International (CHI).  She began working from home to aid Alicia Simmons, assisting by fielding calls from those wanting to help with the disaster and with administrative duties.  She later joined Kings Harbor church permanently.  She signed up for a mission trip with Kings Harbor Church and traveled to Port au Prince on June 10, 2010. 

Katie's first trip to MDL was amazing.  She was placed with what she describes as an incredible team of people "that God hand-picked, each with needed skill sets." The post-disaster atmosphere was chaotic.  Volunteers were busy with the new school and clinic.  The feeding program had just begun.  Teams of volunteers were building pre-fab houses. 

When Katie returned home, she was emotionally drained from the experience. Some of the tragedy she had witnessed didn't sink until after she had returned to the United States.  She realized though , that she had fallen in love with the people of Haiti and the staff at MDL. She had felt surrounded by people with pure, Godly motives.  Said Tiffany, "The volunteers at MDL have sacrificed so much to help the country that it makes you want to work alongside them and support their efforts.  The kids melt your heart."  Making connections with certain children made her want to re-connect and see their progress.

Katie has visited Haiti 3 times.  She said the second trip was exciting because she was able to see how the children had grown spiritually, educationally, emotionally, and physically.  Seeing this makes her want to continue to go.

Katie increased her involvement with CHI by helping to organize what has become an annual Celebration Dinner. She had become well acquainted with Alicia Simmons, who was the administrative assistant who was working for CHI at time of earthquake.  Simmons moved to Haiti, but returned once she and her husband had a child.  Alicia thought the one year anniversary of the earthquake would be a good time to do a fundraiser.  Simmons believed that the fundraiser should be a "Celebration" of what God was doing in Haiti-not a reflection of the terrible experience of the earthquake.  Bill and Sue Manassero wanted to share the news of the overflow of love, financial help and service that God had provided.  The group also wanted to thank people and acknowledge their service.  Katie, a wedding planner, used her professional skills to plan the first Celebration.  The first dinner sold out and even had a waiting list!

The following year, the planners held two dinners, one in Santa Barbara and one in Long Beach.  The majority of attendees are current supporters of CHI.  They may sponsor a child, have been to Haiti, or attend a church that works with Child Hope.  Attendees are also invited by current sponsors who want to introduce more people to CHI.  The Celebrations serve to increase awareness about CHI, and expose persons not already in a relationship with God to God's abundant love and faithfulness.

When asked what she would like others to know about MDL, Tiffany replied, "that Bill and Sue are humble servants of God.  It's easy to think that those running missionary organizations must be extraordinary people, but really, they are ordinary people who God uses in extraordinary ways." She wishes that more people realized that God can use them in the same way.